Sustainable travel
As a foundation, we strive to do our part, not only for people but also for our planet. We also believe sustainability is important in the design of our projects. For example, we offer the option of offsetting the CO2 emissions of your trip, and we prefer groups to travel by bus rather than plane. Furthermore, we use water-based paint in our renovation projects and strive to minimize waste. We understand that this won't solve everything, but doing nothing is definitely not an option.
In our project countries, awareness of sustainability and planetary conservation varies. There are still significant steps to be taken.
We try to contribute to this through educational projects. Setting a good example also helps.
At our hostel, as well as at other overnight accommodations, we strive to operate as sustainably as possible, by using less water, not throwing towels in the laundry every day, and so on. In this way, we work together with our volunteers, step by step, towards a better and more sustainable world.
HOW DO WE TRAVEL?
By bus;
Because bus travel is the most responsible way to travel in terms of CO2 emissions. (The CO2 emissions from one flight are roughly equivalent to four round trips on a Euro 6 bus. Therefore, we've agreed with our regular bus company to only use Euro 6 buses from now on.)
Because flexibility is a must, bus trips can be cancelled free of charge up to 1 month before departure, thus limiting the financial risk for participants.
Depending on the size of the group, the number of seats can be adjusted to ensure responsible distancing can be maintained if necessary.
Stops along the way can be arranged so that we can take safe breaks in the countries we travel through.
By plane;
For travel to areas that are too far for a bus and for which there is no other alternative, flying is still an option.
Unfortunately, after the flight has been definitively booked, it can no longer be cancelled free of charge.
All participants in the flight will complete an assignment about CO2 consumption.
An additional assignment has been added to the elective course. This assignment asks students to organize an activity or event that can offset the CO2 emissions from their trip.
Instead of the assignment, the participant can also pay €0.015 per kilometer flown. This money will be used to support an environmental project in the project country.
! Traveling by train is the best option for the environment. Research has shown that traveling to our project countries is currently not feasible. Of course, we're also keeping an eye on this option.